Honoring Native Ancestors: Bessie Bennett

Saturday, February 21, 2026

Bessie Bennett

Bessie Bennett was born 9 Feb 1906 in Mount Pleasant, Isabella, Michigan, the daughter of Daniel (Kawbayawnowquot) Bennett and Edith Jane Isaac. [Photo of Bessie from Kelly Barnett Bennett]

Her father Daniel was born 15 Jun 1867 in Mt. Pleasant, the son of Lyman Bennett and Dolly Bashaw.

"Michigan’s Indian Agent Richard M. Smith created a series of “Registers” in 1867, under provisions of the treaty of March 18, 1864 with the Chippewas of Saginaw, Swan Creek and Black River in order to determine who was eligible to receive land allotments under this treaty. His registers list the individuals who selected lands under provisions of an earlier treaty with these same Chippewas and includes the names of their spouse and children."

Family 80 - Lyman Bennett

Dolly wife,

David, 5yrs - remarks died Nov 1864.

Family 88 - Jackson Pay baw maw she, remarks - died 1866

O ge maw quay, wife, remarks 80A

Lyman, reamrks - mar'd & has land No. 80

Peter, 22, remarks - Mar'd Priscilla 542 1 child David, age 1 year, no land

Family 392 - Dolly Pebone, remarks - 40. Mar'd Lyman Bennett No. 80

Land - Lyman Bennett, SW1/4 of the SW 1/4 of section 33, Township 15 North, Range 4 West, 40 acres.

"On June 30, 1868, Agent Smith submitted a list of additional land allotments allowed by the treaty to one headman in each band:

Lyman Bennett, head of Simond's band - SE1/4 of the SE 1/4 of section 14, Township 14 North, Range 5 West, 40 acres.

[From Larry Wyckoff - The Smith Registers of the Saginaw, Swan Creek, and Black River Chippewas.]

Kaw bay aw now quot/Daniel Bennett's land allotment was certified on 4 Nov 1891 - the SW 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of section 31, Township 15 North, Range 4 West, containing 40 acres. Daniel was described as a not so competent person.

The Descriptive Record of Students as Admitted of the Mount Pleasant Indian Industrial Boarding School, shows Edith - married & left school 4 Jun 1894, father Kelsey Isaac, parents living, full blood, age 18, admitted February 19 [1894]; and Daniel Bennett - went home, Chippewa, father Lyman Bennett, of Mt. Pleasant, parents living, full blood, age 18, admitted January 27 [1894].

None of Daniel and Edith's children attended this school.

On 11 Jun 1894 Daniel, 26, occupation farming, married Edith Isaac, 17, occupation pupil, daughter of Kelsey Isaac and unknown. Ceremony was performed by Geo. Schnell, Justice of the Peace. Witnesses were Peter Bennett and John Fromsway. [Edith had been born 5 Mar 1876, the daughter of Kelsey Isaac and Elizabeth Alexander.]

Sister Grace was born 7 Aug 1897.

Brother Isaac was born 22 Jul 1898 [from his death certificate]

In a letter dated 19 Jun 1900 father Daniel and grandfather Lyman were mentioned as trustees for the North Branch Indian Methodist Episcopal Church of Isabella county.

[Source - National Archives Microfilm Publications - Letters sent by the Indian divison of the Office of the Secretary of the Interior 1849-1903, roll 103]

Brother Joseph was born 7 Apr 1901 [from his death certificate]

Brother Isaac died 10 Apr 1902 in Isabella township, Isabella, Michigan. His birth was given as 22 Jul 1898, parents at Daniel Bennett and Edith Isaac. Cause of death was croup, burial in Calkensville. Informant was Daniel Bennett. [Actual burial was Woodland Cemetery, Rosebush]

Grandmother Dollie Bashaw Bennett died 15 Jun 1902 in Isabella township, Isabella, Michigan. Her age was given as 65, parents unknown. She was first married at 22, the mother of 5 children, 4 living. Cause of death was rupture of the bowels or strangled hernia. Burial was at Isabella Cemetery, informant was Dan Bennett.

In 1903 father Daniel was employed as a farmer at the Mount Pleasant Indian Boarding School. He earned $420 per year.

Sister Bertha was born 9 Sep 1903. Sadly she died 22 Feb 1904 in Union township, Isabella, Michigan at the age of 5 months, 13 days. Cause of death was bronchitis caused by whooping cough. Burial was Calkinsville Cemetery. Informant was D. Bennett of Mt. Pleasant

In 1905 father Daniel was listed as Assistant farmer at the Mt. Pleasant Indian Boarding School. He earned $420 per year.

Grandfather Lyman died 13 Sep 1905 in Union, Isabella, Michigan. His birth was given as 24 Aug 1829, parents as Pabaumash Bennett and Ogamaw-quay. Cause of death was heart disease, burial in Rosebush. Informant was Daniel Bennett.

While born in 1906, Bessie's birth wasn't registered until 1944.

Brother Lyman was born 19 Jun 1908. His birth was registered 23 Jun 1944.

Durant Roll Field Notes - 1908

Shaw-waw-ne-ke zhick, dead, wife dead

Child 1 - Kelsey Isaac, 60, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan RFD #6

wife Elizabeth Isaac, 50, see 2/51

1 - Edith (Isaac) Bennett, 32, Mt. Pleasant

husb. Daniel Bennett, member of Saginaw Chip

child - Grace, 14

Joseph, 7

Bessie, 4

Lyman, 2

2 - Rosie Aishquab, 21, Mt. Pleasant, Route 6

husb. Charles Aishquab, 24, see #5 p. 64

child - Harry, born Dec 25/07

3 - Chas. Isaac, 16, Mt. Pleasant, #6

Child 2 Mary Paul, 46, Athens, Mich.

husb John Paul, dead

1 - John Paul, 28, Athens

2 - Minnie, 16

4 - Howard, 12

3 - Dennis, 14

7 - Maggie, 4

5 - Adam, 11

6. Lizzie, 8

Child 3 - dead, no heirs

Sister Nancy was born 4 Apr 1910 [from death certificate]

1910 Federal Census - Isabella township, Isabella, Michigan

Daniel Bennett, head, 41, married once, married 16 years, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, can speak English, farmer on general farm

Edith, wife, 32, married once, married 16 years, 7 children born, 5 children living, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, can speak English

Grace, daughter, 14, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, can speak English

Joseph, son, 8, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, can speak English

Bessie, daughter, born Michigan, parents born Michigan

Lyman, son, 2, born Michigan, parents born Michigan

Nancy, daughter, 1/12, born Michigan, parents born Michigan

Sister Alberta was born 12 Mar 1912 [from death certificate]

Sister Grace, 19, was married on 10 Dec 1912 in Mt. Pleasant, Isabella, Michigan to Frank Peters, 24, son of Thos. Peters and Nancy Williams. Ceremony was performed by Wm. A. Starkweather, Justice of the Peace.

A second brother named Isaac was born 2 May 1916.

Sister Grace died 1 Aug 1917 in Broomfield township, Isabella, Michigan. She was married. Birth was given as 1 Jul 1896 in Michigan. Parents were Daniel Bennett and Edith Isaac. Cause of death was pulmonary tuberculosis, burial in Rosebush Cemetery.

[While it is claimed by some online that Grace died at the Mt. Pleasant Indian Boarding School, she was a married woman at the time of her death and was never a student there.]

Photo of Grace from Kelly Barnett Bennett

Sister Beatrice was born 4 Jun 1919 [from her death certificate]

Grandmother Elizabeth Alexander Isaac died 20 Nov 1919 in Broomfield township, Isabella, Michigan. Her birth date was given as Mar 1858, parents are William Alexander and Pinsacquot. Cause of death was bronchial pneumonia, burial in Rosebush. Informant was Kelsey Isaac.

1920 Federal Census - Broomfield, Isabella, Michigan

Bennett, Daniel, head, owns mortgaged house, 52, can read, can write, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, can speak English, farmer at general farm

Eda, wife, 42, can read, can write, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, can speak English

Joseph, son, 19, attended school, can read, can write, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, can speak English, farmer

Bessie. daughter, 14, attended school, can read, can write, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, can speak English

Lyman, son, 13, attended school, can read, can write, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, can speak English

Nancy, daughter, 10, attended school, can read, can write, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, can speak English

Alberta, daughter, 5, born Michigan, parents born Michigan

Isaac, son, 3, born Michigan, parents born Michigan

Beatrice, daughter, 7/12, born Michigan, parents born Michigan

Sister Beatrice died 9 Feb 1920 in Broomfield township, Isabella, Michigan. Her birth was given as 4 Jun 1919, parents as Dan Bennett and Edith Isaac. Cause of death was broncho pneumonia, burial in Broomfield. Informant was Daniel Bennett.

Sister Nancy died 3 Jul 1920 in Broomfield, Isabella, Michigan. Her birth was given as 4 Apr 1910, parents as Daniel Bennett and Edith Isaac. Cause of death was tuberculosis of lungs, burial in Broomfield Cemetery. Informant was Daniel Bennett.

Brother Joseph died 26 Jul 1921 in Isabella township, Isabella, Michigan. His birth was given as 9 Apr 1901, parents as Daniel Bennett and Edith Isiac. Cause of death was tuberculosis, burial in Rosebush. Informant was Daniel Bennett.

Brother Cecil was born in 1923

Bessie, 20, married Wilmer Jackson, 23, son of John Jackson and Susan Rod, on 29 May 1924 in Rosebush, Isabella, Michigan. Ceremony was performed by M. L. Gardner, Clergyman. Witnesses were Harry and Rose Ashquab.

Sadly Wilmer died 19 May 1925. His birth was given as 15 Nov 1901, wife as Bessie Jackson, parents as John Jackson and Susan Rodd. Cause of death was tuberculosis of lungs, burial in Rosebush. Informant was John Jackson.

Bessie, 22, was married to Harry Jones, 26, son of Dan Jones and Elizabeth, on 8 Feb 1926 in Mt. Pleasant, Isabella, Michigan. Ceremony was performed by Chas. W. Campbell, Minister of the Gospel.

Son William Jones was born 20 Apr 1926.

1930 Federal Census for Bessie has not yet been found.

1930 Federal Census - Mt. Pleasant, Isabella, Michigan

Bennet, Dan, head, 62, married at 27, cannot read or write, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, can speak English, laborer - common

Edith, wife, 53, married at 18, can read and write, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, can speak English

Lyman B., son, 21, can read and write, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, can speak English, chaffer - truck

Alberta, dau, 16, can read and write, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, can speak English

Isaac, son, 12, cannot read or write, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, can speak English

Cecil, son, 7, cannot read or write, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, can speak English

Grandfather Kelsey Isaac died 24 Oct 1930 in Mt. Pleasant, Isabella, Michigan. His birth was given as 15 Mar 1845, parents not known. Occupation farmer. Cause of death was influenza and old age, burial was in Rosebush. Informant was Edith Bennett of Mt. Pleasant.

Bessie met Edward A. Ashmum, date unknown. Their daughter Mary Jane Ashmum was born 2 Nov 1931.

Brother Lyman, 23, married Lila Lewis, 18, daughter of John Lewis and Nina Medaugh on 26 Jan 1933 in Mt. Pleasant.

1938 Saginaw city directory

Bennett:

Danl K (Edith) lived at 1215 S. Niagara

Isaac was a laborer, lived at 1215 S. Niagara

Lyman F. (Lila J.) driver Saginaw Ice & Coal Co. lived at 301 1/2 S. Hamilton

[Not found - Bessie Jones]

The Saginaw News - 3 Dec 1940

1940 Saginaw City Directory

Bessie Jones, lived at 1003 N. 2d [Might not be the right Bessie Jones]

Bennett:

Danl K. (Eidth J.) lived at 108 1/2 N. Hamilton

Isaac was a laborer, lived at 108 1/2 N. Hamilton

Lyman F. (Lila J) was a driver for Saginaw Ice & Coal company, lived at 108 1/2 N. Hamilton

1940 Federal Census for Bessie and her daughter has not yet been found.

1940 Federal Census - Saginaw, Saginaw, Michigan - 303 S. Hamilton

Bennett, Daniel, head, 72, born Michigan, lived in same place in 1935

Edith, wife, 68, born Michigan, lived in same place in 1935

Alberta, daughter, 25, born Michigan, lived in same place in 1935, dishwasher at restaurant

Isaac, son, 22, born Michigan, lived in same place in 1935, laborer, WPA server construction

Cecil, son, 17, born Michigan, lived in same place in 1935, new worker

William, son, born Michigan, lived in same place in 1935 [William was actually grandson, the son of Bessie.]

World War II affected the family.

Brother Lyman registered for the draft on 16 Jun 1940. He gave his birth as 19 Jun 1908 in Isabella, wife Lila Lewis Bennett as the person who will always know his address. Employer was Saginaw Ice and Coal. Lyman was described as 5'8" tall, 185 lbs, brown eyes, black hair, dark brown complexion.

Brother Isaac also registered for the draft on 16 Jun 1940. He gave his birth as 2 May 1917 in Mt. Pleasant, mother Edith Bennett as the person who will always know his address. Employer was WPA [Works Projects Administration], Sewer Project. Isaac was described at 5'5" tall, 160 lbs, brown eyes, black hair, light brown complexion.

1941 Saginaw City Directory

Mrs. Bessie Jones, worked as a housekeeper, lived at 303 1/2 S. Hamilton

Bennett:

Cecil, shoe shiner at Technical Hat Cleaners, lived at 303 1/2 S. Hamilton

Danl (Edith), lived at 303 1/2 Hamilton

Isaac, laborer, lived at 303 1/2 S. Hamilton

Lyman F. (Lila J), driver at Saginaw Ice & Coal Co., lived at 218 S. Hamilton

Map of Saginaw showing North and South Hamilton streets and North and South Niagara Streets.

Current picture of 303 S. Hamilton.

Brother Cecil registered for the draft on 30 Jun 1942. He gave his birth as 4 Feb 1923 in Rosebush, father Daniel as the person who will always know his address. Employer was Martin Heffner of Sandy's Flower Wholesale House in Saginaw. Cecil was described at 6'2" tall, 170 lbs, brown eyes, black hair, dark brown complexion.

All three brothers served in the military during WWII.

1942 Saginaw City Directory

Mrs. Bessie Jones, housekeeper, lived at 303 1/2 S. Hamilton

Bennett:

Alberta, lived at 301 1/2 S. Hamilton

Cecil, lived at 301 1/2 S. Hamilton

Danl (Edith), lived at 301 1/2 S. Hamilton

Isaac, laborer, lived at 301 1/2 S. Hamilton

Lyman F. (Lila J.), dirver for the Saginaw Ice and Coal Company, lived at 218 S. Hamilton.

Father Daniel died 13 Jun 1944 in Isabella, Michigan. His birth was given as 15 Jun 1867, parents as Lyman Bennett and Dolly Winter. Cause of death was coronary embolism, burial in Rosebush. Informant was Edith Bennett.

Lansing State Journal - 17 Jun 1944

Bessie's birth was registered on 7 Jul 1944. Full name was given as Bessie Bennett, born 9 Feb 1906 in Mt. Pleasant to Daniel Bennett and Edith Isaac. Supporting evidence was affidavits of mother and older sister. They said Bessie was the eighth child and all eight were living. [Bessie was the fifth child of eleven, with only five still living.]

Sister Alberta died 21 May 1947 in Saginaw, Saginaw, Michigan. Her birth was given as 12 Mar 1912, parents as Daniel Bennett and Edith Isaac. Cause of death was lobar pneumonia, burial in Rosebush. Informant was Cecil Bennett.